Wagon



Feb. 11, 1936. R. E. CHOATE El" AL WAGON Filed Feb. 27, 19:52

4 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 11, 1936. g E; CHOATE ET AL 2,030,137

WAGON Filed Feb. 27, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 11, 1936. R. E. CHOATE El AL WAGON Filed Feb. 27, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 R. E. CHOYATE ET AL *--2,(-)30,137

WAGON Filed Feb. 27, 1952 Feb. 11, 1936.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 CZZJ/O 5220621? Patented Feb. 11, 1936 Roy'E. Choate and Waldo E. Rodier, Rapids, Iowa, assignors to La Plant-Chute Mfg. Co. Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Application February 27, 1932, Serial No. 595,578

' -4 Claims.

This invention relates to vehicles for the haulage of bulky materials such as earth, coal, snow, ice, and the like, and for objects of any kind which will move freely by their own weight, and has particular relation to a means of opening and closing doors or the like, in the vehicle to permit the materials to be received and discharged therefrom. I a

It is becoming customary, in hauling dirt and like materials, to employ awagon in the form of V a. trailer which may be attached to a tractor or truck so that the tractor or truck may haul a large quantity of material at one time using only one operator. There may even be a plurality of trailers employed.

Some of the tractors and trucks are provided with hydraulic pumps whereby the motors used in driving them may also be used to furnish power to a hydraulic jack or the like for operating devices on the truck or tractor, or for furnishing power to actuate other devices from the tractor.

The wagons and trailers are usually provided with doors in the bottom or in the sides so that material deposited in the wagons may be quickly discharged. The doors of these wagons are usually mechanically operated by means of levers, winches, and the like.

The operation of such doors is usually a tedious task and takes considerable time, thereby decreasing the efficiency of the material hauling system. Furthermore, the devices of the prior art are not always satisfactory. Sometimes it is necessary to operate them from the ground, and the wagon cannot be moved until the doors have been placed in position.

We have, therefore, devised an improved mechanical means of opening and closing the doors which may be operated by an Operator riding on a platform of the wagon or trailer, and we have 40.

also devised a hydraulic means adapted to be removably secured tothe wagon and adapted to cooperate with the manually operable device for opening and closing the doors by means of fluid supplied under pressure from the tractor or other device where such power is available.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a new and improved door-operating device.

More particularly it is an object of the invention to provide a combined hand wind and hydraulic lift for opening and closing the doors of a wagon.

A feature of the invention is a manually controllable and operable means for opening and closing the doors and a power means adapted to be removably positioned on the wagon and adapt- (Cl. 298-35) I ed to cooperate with the door opening and closing device in order that the doors may be opened and closed by powerif desired. 7

, Other and further features and objects of the invention will be more apparent to those skilled in the art upon a consideration of the accompanying drawings and following specification, wherein is disclosed a single exemplary embodiment of the invention, with the understanding, however, that such changes may be made therein as fall within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings in which like numbers indicate like parts: 5

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a trailer provided with our new and improved means of openingand closing the doors thereof, and showing the hydraulic device in cooperative engagement with the manual device.

Figure 2 is a view in perspective of the connection between the hydraulic operating means and the manual operating means. A portion of the connecting mechanism has been broken away to show the inner construction thereof.

Figure 3. is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of the connecting device taken along the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view in perspective of the hydraulic jack used in opening and closing the doors and also of a portion of the door-supporting structure. The view is enlarged in order to show the device in greater detail.

Figure 5 is a view in perspective of the manually operative device utilized for opening and closing the doors.

Figure 6 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of the levers and ratchet mechanism utilized in operating the device shown in Fig,- ure 5.

Figure '7 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of the device shown in Figure 6, but as it appears at a different step in the cycle of operation thereof. L

Figure 8 is a view in perspective showing how its doors are hinged and held with respect to the body and frame of the trailer and showing also the pulleys and supports utilized in opening and closing the doors.

Figure 9 is a view in perspective of a portion of the door opening and closing mechanism and showing particularly the pulleys and cables utilized for this purpose.

While the invention has been shown and described in connection with a wagon or trailer adapted to be hauled by a motor vehicle, such as a truck or tractor, it is quite apparent that the invention is equally applicable to trucks and the like in which the motive power is incorporated directly in the truck. In fact, it is quite possible that an auxiliary motor and steering mechanism might be fitted to the trailer shown without great change in the structure thereof.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figure 1, there is shown generally a wagon or trailer l6 comprised of a heavy, substantially rectangular frame upon which a metal box I2 is mounted. The frame may be mounted upon wheels in any desired manner, but a preferred construction employs pairs of cylindrical wheels |3 on each side of the wagon which are secured to the frame II by any suitable mounting device, and having link treads |4 mounted on the wheels so that the wagon may be hauled over soft and uneven ground. The wagon box |2 may be of any desired construction, but is preferably comprised of heavy metal plates I5 held in place by angle irons l6 and corner irons l'l so as to form a substantially rectangular box, having flared or sloping side walls. The box is preferably flanged and flared outwardly at its upper edge l8 and provided with heavy joining members IS in order to carry the load and to hold the box in shape and resist impact from the shovels used in filling the box.

One side of the box is preferably lower than the other to permit loading the wagon from an elevating grader or the like. The wagon is provided with couplers 2| of any suitable type at the front and rear thereof by which it may be towed and in order that other wagons or equipment may be towed by the wagon in turn. A step 22 is provided at the rear end of the trailer 50 that an operator may step up from the ground to the step and thence to a platform 23, formed by the extending portion of the frame ll, so that he may operate the hand wind mechanism.

The hand wind mechanism, shown more particularly in Figures 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7, is adapted to haul in and release one or more cables such as the cables 26 and 21. The hand wind includes a cylinder 26 mounted for rotation on brackets 29 and 36 which are fastened to the angle irons 6 at the rear end of the wagon. The angle irons may be attached in any suitable manner as by means of the bolts 3|. The cylinder 26 is divided by a partition 34 into two parts or drums 32 and 33. The partition has a longitudinally extending flange portion 36 with openings therein to permit the cables 26 and 21 to pass through the flange 36 so that they may be secured to one another and to the drum by means of clamps 31. A circular flange 36 at one end of the cylinder prevents the cable 26from running over too far to the right, while a flange and the ratchet wheel 36 prevent the cable 21 from winding too far to the left.

The drums 32 and 33 are rotated by means of a ratchet wheel 4| located on the end of the shaft 46 upon which the winding drum 26 is mounted, and the ratchet wheel is rotated by means of a long lever arm 42 which is provided with a pawl 43, shown more particularly in Figuntil the pawl 43 engages the teeth of the ratchet 4|. The operator then pushes the lever downwardly to rotate drum 26. In its normal disengaged position, the lever 42 hangs downwardly, and consequently the pawl 43 is out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 4|.

Inasmuch as the load on the cables 26 and 21 tends to cause rotation of the drum 26, according to the direction in which the cables are wound, it is necessary to prevent rotation by means of a locking device such as shown in Figure 7. This lockingdevice comprises a lever 46, having a slotted end 41, in order that the lever may be pivotally secured, by means of a pin 46 and nut 46, to a suitable bracket 5|, which is an integral part of the bracket 36.

Other ear-like portions of the slotted end 41 of the lever 46 are provided with corresponding openings in which a pin 52, secured by a nut 53, may be located, and the pin 52 is provided with apawl 54 adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 39. A centrally disposed enlarged portion of the lever 46 is drilled and tapped in order that a set screw 51 may be threaded into the lever 46 with the head of the screw projecting inwardly from the lever. A support 56, attached to and a part of the left hand bracket 36, acts as a support so that when the lever 46 is in its normal down position the lever is prevented from resting on the ratchet wheel 39. By means of the structure described and when the drum is rotated counterclockwise, as by means of the lever 42, the pawl 54 will ride over the teeth of the ratchet wheel 39 to permit it to rotate, but when the pressure upon the lever 42 is released the pawl will engage the teeth of the wheel and prevent rotation of the drums in a clockwise direction under the influence of the load on the cables. It is to be noted that the lever 46 between pins 48 and 52, the pins and the dog 54 constitute a toggle relationship which is in locked position when the lever is down.

When it is desired to release the dog from the ratchet wheel to permit it to rotate in a clockwise direction to release the load, the lever 46 is raised. The raising of the lever causes the pawl 54 to be rotated about the pin 52 until the pawl is to the right of the center line defined by the pins 46 and 52, thus throwing the toggle relation to permit the pawl 54 to swing downwardly and therebyrelease the ratchet wheel 36.

In operatirig the hand wind, the operator mounts to the platform 23 by means of the step 22, and holds himself in that position by means of the handheld 58; then raises the lever 42 to a position above the horizontal so that the lever slides downward on the shaft 46 at the slot 44 and the pawl 43 engages the ratchet wheel 4|. He then pushes down on the lever 42 which rotates the ratchet wheel 4|, and hence winds up the drum 26 to a counterclockwise direction. The dog 54 on the lever 46 slides over the teeth of the ratchet wheel 36 as the wheel 39 is rotated. The operator rotates the lever 42 until it almost strikes the frame II, and then lets it move backward until the dog 54 engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel 39. He then permits the lever 42 to slip downward so that the pawl 43 is out of engagement with the wheel 4|. He then raises the lever 42 and starts a new cycle of operation to wind up the drum 26. This operation is repeated until the doors, hereinafter 'jured nor the mechanism damaged.

Since the support or pad 56 and the bracket 5| upon which the lever -46 ismounted are all integral parts of the bracket 36, .the'hand wind may be fastened-toand removed from the wagon as a unitand the parts thereof will always be in alignment. v I

The hydraulic mechanism is better shown in Figures 1"and4, and this mechanism comprises generally a jack 6I which is adapted to be removably secured .to the flared side of" the car-- opposite to the side from which the car is usually loaded, and a reel I61 and shaft I68which shaft is secured to the rear of the car and is adapted to engage the shaft 46 of the hand wind mechanism, as shown in Figures-2 and 3.

The jack 6I is comprised of a cylinder base 63, havingflanged extensions 64 in order that the base may be secured to the angle iron supports I6 on the side of the car, asby means of bolts 66. Another pair of flanges 65 and 61 ex-.

tend perpendicularly from the base and the flanges are bifurcated to constitute a means for pivotally mounting pulleys 68 and '69 therein. Fanges II constitute strengthening means for holding the flanges 65 and 61 in position. A lobed extension I2 of one of the flanges 6 I is drilled to afford means for securing a cable 13' thereto as by means of the U-clamps I4,and the flange 12 isstrengthened by means of a rib I6. A semi-circular extension 11. of'the flange 65 is provided with an opening therethrough in order that the cab1e I3 may pass through the opening and be directed in a direction parallel to the barrel of the hydraulic jack. Oil or other fluid is introduced into the base 63' through a hose or pipe connection'lB, a coupling 19, and

a boss 8|, which is a part of the cylinder head 63.

The cylinder proper is shown at 82, and this cylinder is, of course, mounted on the cylinder head 63, as by threading it into suitable threads, in the cylinder head. A'cylinder cap 83 is thread- Eed onto the outer end ofthe cylinder 82, and the cylinder cap is providedwith flanges 84 in order that it may be secured to suitable straps 86 on the side of the box, as by means of bolts 85. The cylinder head is provided with an exhaust opening, and an elbow 88 conducts any fluid or air from within the cylinder out to the atmosphere through a perforated exhaust port 89. The cylinder head 83 is provided with an extension 9I which acts as a guide for a piston rod 92, which acts as a wiper to' prevent dirt from entering the cylinder, and which prevents oil 7 toward the rear' of the Wagon. The cable is guided by means of guides 99 to prevent it from,

coming off the pulleys, and the flanges I1 and I2 actin this capacity for the base 63.

The pipe I6 leads up beneath the flange I6 at the top of the wagon box, to \the front of the wagon and down to the platform at the front of the wagon where suitable valves and connections similar to the valve IIII, coupling I62 and flexible hose I63 are placed, which valve, coupling and hose are adapted for making hydraulic connection with pumps, control valves and the, like on the tractor or truck (not shown), A valve I6'I (Figure 1) is provided at the platform 23 in order that hydraulic connection with a second wagon or other trailing equipment may be made and cut'ofi. A coupling I62 leads upwardly from the valve, and a flexible hose I63 leads to a suitable supply line on the second wagon (not shown) The cable I3 is brought rearwardly over a suitable pulley I64 which is fastened to theside of the wagon as by means of a bracket I66, and is led over a wheel or sheave I6I at the rear of the wagon. This sheave is mounted on a shaft and 2) which passes through suitable openings in the flange II3 of the sheave. The sheave is provided with a helical groove II4 so that the cable will not, kink, and a flange I I6 at the inner end of the sheave prevents the/cable from wedging between the sheave and the bracket I69. The shaft I68 is provided with splines H1 at its inner end in order that a splined sleeve I I8 may be utilized to connect the shaft 'i66 with the end of the shaft 56, which is also splined as at II9. By moving the sleeve H6 to one side the shafts 56 and I66 are disengaged from each other and the shaft I68 may be rotated and the sleeve II8 replaced to compensate for stretching of the cable. It is apparent that if fluid is introduced from the tractor or truck by means of the flexible hose,

the coupling and the valve at the front of the rod 92 will travel to the right and will cause the cable I3 to be drawn up in much the same manner as the end cable of a block and tackle system is drawn by increasing the distance between blocks. In fact, the pulley system here shown is substantially the same as that of a block and tackle system, and works in the same way--one end of the cable being fastened to a flxed block and the hydraulic jack being the means used for lengthening and decreasing the distance between the blocks. I

It is apparent that the stresses on the jack are uniformly distributed and there is no side thrust on the piston. The device may be readily secured to the wagon and removed therefrom. .It requires only one pipe to lead fluid from the coupling at the front (of the wagon to the hydraulic jack.

A simple and unique system is employed for mounting the doors on the bottom of the wagon and for opening and closing them by means of the cables 26 and 21. This system is better shown inFigures 8 and 9. The cables 26 and 21 are parts of a single cable, having its ends secured the inner side of each of the plates I22 in order to support the load, and this flange ailords a means for securing an end rolle'r bracket I32 to the door.

This roller bracketis comprised ofa housing I33 provided with suitable flanges I34 by which it maybe secured to the door as by means of bolts or rivets I38 and the housing I33 is provided with a pin I31 on which a pulley I33 of hour-glass shape is rotatably mounted. The housing I33 has guides I39 extending over the pulley for the purpose of bracing the housing and of *guiding the cable. Other brackets I are secured to the flange I3I and to the underside of the plates I22 at the midpoint thereof and the pulleys I42 act as guides for the cables 26 and 21. If desired blocks portions of the wagon-supporting sub-structure having openings therethrough for the cables may be substituted for the pulleys I42 and the blocks will act as bumpers which strike against suitable sothe doors may be jarred to loosen clinging material. Another set of pulleys I33, similar in construction ,to the pulleys I32 just described but with their parts in reversed relation, are fastened to the front-ends of the doors and project out over the end thereof so that the cable 26 may pass up over a pulley I mounted for rotation in a vertical plane on the frame II of the wagon.

The bracket I46, for supporting this pulley, is secured to any suitable portion of the frame II. The cables 28 and 21, as has been stated, are in reality one single cable and this cable passes over the pulley I to equalize the strain on different parts of the cable. It is plain to be seen that when the cables 26 and 21 are drawn upwardly, the

doors I22 will close. On the contrary, if the drum 28 is released, the cables will move downwardly by reason of theweight of the doors I22 and of the load supported by them, and the doors will open. The width of the pulleys I33 and theangle at which they are cut is such that the cables always pull against the bottom of the grooves formed by the converging sides of the pulley, so that the cable does not undergo a rubbing action.

It is apparent that we have provided a new and 4 improved door-opening and closing device and that the device may be applied to a wagon or trailer without altering the construction thereof and that, if desired, a power-actuated winding de-.

vice maybe supplied at little additional expense. The devices are self-compensating in application of the forces necessary to open and close the doors and the devices used are simple, reliable and strong.

Although we have described one embodiment of our invention, it is apparent that modifications thereof may be made by those skilled in the art and that the invention may be applied to other uses. Such modifications may-be made-without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

We? claim as our invention: 7 1. In a door opening and closing mechanism for a dump wagon, a winch mounted on one end ofthewagon, thewinchbeing disposedso that its axis of rotation is horizontal, and parallel to the end of the wagon and means for operating the winch hydraulically comprising a hydraulic jack,

a cable leading from-the hydraulic jack, a shaft disposed to be removabiy connected'to the shaft of the winch and means for rotating the lastname'd shaft by means of the cable from the hydraulic Jack.

2. In a dump wagon, doors mounted in the bottom thereof, for pivotal movement about horizontal axes, a winch mounted on one end of the dump wagon, a cable extending from the winch to the doors for. closing them, a shaft mounted for removable connection to the winch, a hy-. draulic jack at one side of the wagon and means for connecting the hydraulic jack with the shaft to rotate it to operate the winch.

3. In a wagon including a wagon box, doors on the wagon box, means for closing the doors comprising'a winch disposed on the end of the wagon and including a shaft, a power means for actuating the winch and including a shaft rotat- 'ably mounted on the same axis as the shaft of the winch, and meansv for removably engaging v the last-named shaft with the first-named shaft.

4. In a dump wagon having doors, a winch'for opening and closing the doors, the winch having a shaft projecting therefrom, a hydraulic jack system for operating the winch comprising a hydraulic Jack, a cable leading from the hydraulic jack, a shaft disposedgto be removabiy connected to the shaft of the winch, and a means for rotating. thashaft by means of the cable-from the hydraulic jack, and a coup] meansfor cooperatively engaging the shaft of the winch to the last named shaft to permit the hydraulic system to operate the winch when desired.

' ROY E. CHOATE.

WALDO E. RODLER. 

